could not attach

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not attach" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the inability to connect or fasten something, often in the context of files or documents in digital communication. Example: "I tried to send the report via email, but I could not attach the file due to its size."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

These spots served as attachment sites for fibroblasts, which otherwise could not attach to the glass surface.

Aging Cell

Instead, on Jan . 14 Kaiser's nine remaining subsidiaries sought protection in bankruptcy court, where the pension agency could not attach their assets.

The New York Times

The Bank's board was sceptical, arguing that Congo qualified under the existing criteria for debt relief and that you could not attach new rules on the fly.

The Economist

But they relied in part on a United States Supreme Court decision last year that the police could not attach a Global Positioning System to a suspect's car without a warrant.

The New York Times

Reading from the findings of the yearlong inquiry in the hushed council chamber of Manchester Town Hall, Dame Janet said she also had "real cause" to suspect Dr. Shipman of killing 45 additional patients, but could not attach the same certainty to them as she could to the 200 new killings she reported.

The New York Times

Since the cells could not attach to the surface of the stencil membrane, the cell proliferated and differentiated into myotubes in the hole areas specifically.

Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

We couldn't attach anything to the wall.

The New York Times

You couldn't attach it to your computer even if you wanted to.

The New York Times - Tech

When I first tried to do Z for Zachariah, I couldn't attach enough value to my name.

The Guardian - Film

The tour begins in London, and there was barely a street to which she couldn't attach a scene or two.

The Guardian - Travel

Those bacteria couldn't attach to inflamed stomach tissue in mice, they report in the 26 July issue of Science.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not attach" in technical writing, consider specifying the reason for the inability to attach, such as file size limitations or permission issues.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot attach" when referring to a past event. Use "could not attach" to accurately reflect the past tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not attach" functions as a negative declarative statement, indicating an inability to perform an action. Ludwig provides examples across various domains, showing its versatility in conveying this inability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could not attach" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote an inability to connect or fasten something. According to Ludwig, its usage spans diverse fields like Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While more formal alternatives like "was unable to attach" exist, "could not attach" maintains a neutral tone suitable for most situations. Remember to use the correct tense and provide context for clarity. This phrase is helpful in everyday communication and technical writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unable to attach

Replaces "could not" with a more formal alternative "was unable to".

failed to attach

Emphasizes the lack of success in attaching something.

could not connect

Focuses on the inability to establish a connection.

was unable to link

Similar to "could not connect", but emphasizes linking.

could not affix

A more formal synonym for "could not attach".

was prevented from attaching

Highlights the external factors preventing the attachment.

attachment was unsuccessful

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the outcome of the attachment process.

attachment failed

Short and direct way to say something could not be attached.

faced difficulties attaching

Indicates challenges or obstacles encountered while trying to attach something.

the link could not be established

Focuses specifically on the failure to establish a link.

FAQs

How to use "could not attach" in a sentence?

Use "could not attach" to describe a past inability to connect or fasten something. For example: "I "could not attach" the document to the email because it was too large."

What can I say instead of "could not attach"?

You can use alternatives like "was unable to attach", "failed to attach", or "could not connect" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could not attach" or "cannot attach"?

"Could not attach" is used for past events, while "cannot attach" is used for present inability. Choose the tense that matches the time frame of your statement.

What's the difference between "could not attach" and "was unable to attach"?

"Could not attach" is more informal, while "was unable to attach" is a more formal alternative conveying the same meaning.